CAN 5-HTP HELP ME LOSE WEIGHT?

CAN 5-HTP HELP ME LOSE WEIGHT?

While it gets more fame as a mood booster, 5-HTP can also enhance your weight-loss efforts. If dietary adherence is a struggle, read this!

You may have heard of serotonin as a hormone your body produces that helps produce feelings of happiness, satisfaction, and normal sleep patterns. But it's less well-known that serotonin can play a large role in your appetite and food cravings.

Age, increased levels of stress due to a hectic lifestyle, and bad eating habits can all compromise your levels of serotonin, resulting in depression, anxiety, insomnia, and even weight gain. This often leads to the viscous cycle of "I eat because I'm stressed, and I'm stressed because I'm gaining weight." While cleaning up your diet may help offset some of this, increasing your body's serotonin levels purely through food is unlikely to happen since it's not found in large quantities in most diets. This is where 5-HTP can help.

5-HTP, OR 5-HYDROXYTRYPTOPHAN, IS A NATURALLY OCCURRING SUBSTANCE THAT COMES FROM THE SEED PODS OF GRIFFONIA SIMPLICIFOLIA. IN HUMANS, 5-HTP CONVERTS DIRECTLY INTO SEROTONIN IN THE BRAIN AND HAS BEEN SHOWN TO HELP WITH MOOD, ANXIETY, AND WEIGHT LOSS.

5-HTP, or 5-hydroxytryptophan, is a naturally occurring substance that comes from the seed pods of Griffonia simplicifolia. In humans, 5-HTP converts directly into serotonin in the brain and has been shown to help with mood, anxiety, and weight loss. Compared to tryptophan, a commonly used supplement to boost serotonin levels, 5-HTP has an increased absorption rate and can cross the blood-brain barrier with great ease.1

This supplement comes with a caveat: If you're taking an antidepressant, using 5-HTP at the same time is not a good idea, so talk to your doctor before proceeding. But if you're someone looking to stick to a dietary plan—particularly a low-carb one—this supplement could help.

MORE THAN A MOOD BOOSTER

While the benefits of 5-HTP on mood have been well-documented, most people are unaware of the role 5-HTP has on appetite regulation and weight loss.

One landmark study out of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition had 20 obese participants supplement with 900 milligrams of 5-HTP or a placebo daily for 12 weeks.2 For the first six weeks, no dietary guidelines were given, but the subjects kept records of what they ate. During the second half, participants were asked to reduce their calorie intake to just 1200 a day—a level typical of what we could consider "extreme" dieting.

During the first weeks, participants taking 5-HTP voluntarily reduced their calorie intake by a whopping average of 1,347 calories (from 3,233 calories to 1,886). Those given the placebo observed no change in food intake. When asked—but not required—to drop calories during weeks 7-12, the 5-HTP group was able to drop down to 1,276 calories—a further decrease of 610 calories—despite the already large drop seen in the first six weeks. The drop in calories led to a significant decrease in body weight only observed in the 5-HTP group.

Another interesting finding of this study was that the group supplementing with 5-HTP significantly reduced their carbohydrate intake—from around 350 grams per day to 160 grams per day—and reported higher levels of satiety (or fullness) at the lower level. These findings suggest 5-HTP may be a useful dieting supplement for those going on a low-carb diet, due to 5-HTP's ability to mimic the well-known effects carbohydrates have on raising serotonin levels in the brain.

A more recent study from 2012 found that when overweight subjects were administered 5-HTP for four weeks, they observed significant decreases in BMI, skinfold thickness, and circumferences.3 Additionally, the subjects' feelings of satiety increased, even though they were put on a reduced-calorie diet.

There's a saying that the best diet is the one you're able to follow consistently. From this perspective, 5-HTP shows the most benefit as an adherence booster. It can help you stick with your nutritional plan, giving you one more tool to help build long-term weight-loss success.

SUPPLEMENT FOR WEIGHT LOSS

Dosing recommendations for 5-HTP run the gamut online. In fat-loss studies, 300 milligrams taken three times a day with meals has been shown to be effective, but a more typical approach is 300-500 milligrams per day total, often split between 2-3 doses.

DOSING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR 5-HTP RUN THE GAMUT ONLINE. IN FAT-LOSS STUDIES, 300 MILLIGRAMS TAKEN THREE TIMES A DAY WITH MEALS HAS BEEN SHOWN TO BE EFFECTIVE, BUT A MORE TYPICAL APPROACH IS 300-500 MILLIGRAMS PER DAY TOTAL, OFTEN SPLIT BETWEEN 2-3 DOSES.

As mentioned earlier, it's a bad idea to mix 5-HTP with depression medications, especially without a doctor's supervision. The two in combination can lead to high levels of free serotonin in the brain, which can be very dangerous. If you have any doubt, talk to your doctor first.

5-HTP may be particularly useful for those taking a low-carbohydrate or ketogenic approach to dieting, as it could help mimic the effects carbohydrates have on serotonin levels. However, this comes with a caveat as well. Although studies mentioned in this article didn't involve an exercise intervention, if your goal is to optimize body composition and achieve long-term success, you need more than just a supplement like this one. A well-designed, sustainable diet and exercise plan are both essential as well!

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* Ratings as of article's date of publication

REFERENCES

1.      Birdsall, T. C. (1998). 5-Hydroxytryptophan: a clinically-effective serotonin precursor. Alternative Medicine Review, 3(4), 271-280.

2.      Cangiano, C., Ceci, F., Cascino, A., Del Ben, M., Laviano, A., Muscaritoli, M., ... & Rossi-Fanelli, F. (1992). Eating behavior and adherence to dietary prescriptions in obese adult subjects treated with 5-hydroxytryptophan.The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 565), 863-867.

3.      Rondanelli, M., Opizzi, A., Faliva, M., Bucci, M., & Perna, S. (2012). Relationship between the absorption of 5-hydroxytryptophan from an integrated diet, by means of Griffonia simplicifolia extract, and the effect on satiety in overweight females after oral spray administration. Eating and Weight Disorders-Studies on Anorexia, Bulimia and Obesity, 17(1), e22-e28.

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THE BENEFITS OF PROBIOTICS AND PREBIOTICS

THE BENEFITS OF PROBIOTICS AND PREBIOTICS

The next big thing is the tiniest thing: the probiotic bacteria located within your gut. Here's what you can do to optimize your internal environment for health and performance!

It's become increasingly clear in recent years what the next major area of exploration in human health and performance will be, and the answer might surprise you: the gut! I'm not talking about belly fat, although as you'll see, that is part of the conversation.

Research shows that the bacteria located within your gastrointestinal tract—also known as your gut—have a major influence on your health and athletic performance. To be clear, this is a relatively new area of inquiry, and there are several factors that may influence the bacterial makeup of our gut that are beyond our control. But one major variable we have control over is our diet.

Based on what we know right now, the game plan for improving your gut health should include increased consumption of both probiotics and what are known as "prebiotics." Here's how to get them, and why.

WHY THE GOOD BACTERIA MATTER

Probiotics are tiny, living organisms, like some bacteria and yeast that reside inside our gut. Not all bacteria are probiotics, though. The "pro-" prefix marks the ones that are thought to provide a health benefit.

There are plenty of them inside you right now—think 100 trillion, not just millions or billions. Still, several varieties dominate the landscape, such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, the two most common bacterial forms.1

Probiotic organisms are found in a wide variety of fermented foods such as yogurt, kefir, buttermilk, selected aged cheeses, sauerkraut, kimchi, and kombucha.1 Supplementation is also a popular route to increase probiotic intake.

PROBIOTIC ORGANISMS ARE FOUND IN A WIDE VARIETY OF FERMENTED FOODS SUCH AS YOGURT, KEFIR, BUTTERMILK, SELECTED AGED CHEESES, SAUERKRAUT, KIMCHI, AND KOMBUCHA. SUPPLEMENTATION IS ALSO A POPULAR ROUTE TO INCREASE PROBIOTIC INTAKE.

An intricate and very personal relationship exists between diet, microbes, and the gut. While a similar microbial core is shared among individuals, each person has a distinct and variable gut makeup influenced by their genetics, lifestyle, diet, and environment.2

When things go bad in the gut, a disease-prone environment termed "dysbiosis" takes hold. This is when a few potentially harmful bacterial genera or species predominate over more favorable strains. Diet-induced dysbiosis has been identified as a contributing factor for the development of a range of cardiovascular disorders, colorectal cancer, irritable bowel syndrome, autoimmune diseases, Crohn's disease, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and ulcerative colitis.2, 3

The underlying mechanisms by which gut microbiota can impact metabolism and body composition are still unclear, but it seems clear that there is a relationship. For example, humans with metabolic syndrome have improved their glucose homeostasis, lipid metabolism, and insulin sensitivity after transplantation of gut microbiota from lean donors.5

Regardless of why you want to improve your gut health, the most important reason seems to be to optimize the ratio of good bacteria to bad bacteria in the gut. When this happens, several health benefits have been shown, including:

§  Improved tolerance to lactose in those with lactose intolerance4

§  Enhanced immune functioning4,5

§  Improvements of blood lipid levels6,7

§  Reduced muscle damage and improved muscular recovery5

There is also promising and ongoing research tying gut health to everything from cognitive function to emotional health, but most of this remains in its early phase.

So how do you maximize the good guys and minimize the bad guys? Upping the number of good guys with both food and supplements is a start. So is giving your probiotics their food of choice.

WHY PREBIOTICS MATTER

In order to thrive, probiotics need a sufficient and consistent food supply. Enter prebiotics, or prebiotic fiber. Prebiotics are indigestible food ingredients that act as a food source for probiotics. In other words, you can't digest them, but your gut bacteria can. (Yes, "can't digest" means they'll probably make you gassy. But it'll get better with time.)

The image of the bacterial buffet in your innards may seem a little remote, but the benefits associated with increased prebiotic fiber intake are real. They include:

§  Improved mineral absorption and bone mineral density7,8

§  Improved insulin sensitivity and markers of insulin resistance9,10

§  Increased satiety and reduced appetite11,12

§  Improved body weight management11,12

Some prebiotics occur naturally in foods such as chicory, Jerusalem artichokes, and a wide range of fruits and vegetables, particularly roots and greens. Seeds such as flax and chia, and some nuts (particularly with the skin on), have also been shown to contain prebiotics.1 That psyllium husk you may have taken to help you move things along in the past? Yes, it also contained prebiotic fiber.

Simply put, increase your fiber from all sources—which is a good idea in general—and you'll get more prebiotics in your diet. But it can be a battle, because most foods contain only trace levels. This is when people reach for supplements. The most popular prebiotic-rich supplements include inulin, insoluble corn fiber, and potato starch.

HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR PRE- AND PROBIOTIC

There are no clear-cut recommendations yet when it comes to dosing probiotic supplements. The dose will largely depend on the product itself and the bacteria used. You'll find products containing a wide range of strains in amounts ranging from a billion CFU (colony-forming units) to upwards of 50 billion.

Typically, a probiotic should contain several billion microorganisms to increase the likelihood of benefit.13 While several multivitamins now contain probiotics, the dosages are often minimal, so it may be worth your while to take adedicated probiotic supplement for a while if you haven't before. You're trying to increase the overall volume of good bacteria in your gut, so most probiotics will recommend you take a dose multiple times a day.

When it comes to prebiotics, dosages range from 2-20 grams per day.1 The amount you decide to consume will depend on the ingredient, your tolerance, and the desired effect. Remember, prebiotics are indigestible, similar to fiber. Too much too soon can leave you feeling bloated. Start on the low end of this range and gradually increase your intake.

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PROBIOTIC FAQS

1

SHOULD I TAKE PROBIOTICS ON AN EMPTY STOMACH?

Some probiotic supplements advise taking them with food. Others—even with similar or identical ingredients—recommend taking them on an empty stomach. You'll find arguments online for both approaches, usually focused on helping bacteria survive the acidic environment of the stomach and arriving intact in the intestines.

TAKE YOUR PROBIOTIC ACCORDING TO THE LABEL'S RECOMMENDATIONS AND WHATEVER IS MOST CONVENIENT FOR YOU.

Clearly, the research hasn't provided a definitive answer here, so for now, just take your probiotic according to the label's recommendations and whatever is most convenient for you.

2

SHOULD I REFRIGERATE MY PROBIOTIC SUPPLEMENT?

Many probiotic bacteria are naturally sensitive to heat and moisture. Heat can kill the bacteria and moisture can lead to premature "activation" from the pills, only to see them die shortly after due to a lack of nutrients.

Ideally, you want to store your supplement according to the instructions on the label. Some supplements contain freeze-dried bacteria within capsules and tablets and do not require refrigeration; however, if ever unsure, storing in the refrigerator is your best bet.

3

ISN'T FOOD ENOUGH?

Many probiotic-rich foods contain ample amounts of healthy bacteria. Others have far less, and with the current marketing craze around the term "probiotic," it can be hard to tell which is which. And the ones that contain the most live cultures are often, shall we say, acquired tastes—and expensive ones at that. Having a little spicy kimchi or kefir with breakfast: great idea. Drinking kombucha every day: expensive, and definitely not for everyone's palate.

The advantage of supplements is that they can provide substantial numbers of bacteria without requiring you to drastically change your dietary preferences. So consume fermented food if you can, and definitely aim to get more prebiotic fiber in your diet. But based on current knowledge—which is not nearly as much as we will probably know, say, five years from now—it's definitely a good idea to boost your ratio with strategic supplementation as well.

REFERENCES

1.       Binns, N. (2013). Probiotics, Prebiotics and the Gut Microbia. Retrieved from http://www.ilsi.org/Europe/Publications/Prebiotics-Probiotics.pdf

2.       Chu, H., & Mazmanian, S. K. (2013). Innate immune recognition of the microbiota promotes host-microbial symbiosis. Nature immunology, 14(7), 668-675.

3.       Jones, M. L., Martoni, C. J., Parent, M., & Prakash, S. (2012). Cholesterol-lowering efficacy of a microencapsulated bile salt hydrolase-active Lactobacillus reuteri NCIMB 30242 yoghurt formulation in hypercholesterolaemic adults. British Journal of Nutrition, 107(10), 1505-1513.

4.       Brestoff, J. R., & Artis, D. (2013). Commensal bacteria at the interface of host metabolism and the immune system. Nature Immunology, 14(7), 676-684.

5.       Jäger, R., Shields, K., Sharp, M., Partl, J., Wilson, J. M., Lowery, R. P., ... & Purpura, M. (2015). Effects of probiotic supplementation on markers of skeletal muscle damage, perceived recovery and athletic performance after an intense single leg training bout. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 12(Suppl 1), P36.

6.       de Vrese, M., Stegelmann, A., Richter, B., Fenselau, S., Laue, C., & Schrezenmeir, J. (2001). Probiotics—compensation for lactase insufficiency. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 73(2), 421s-429s.

7.       Abrams, S. A., Hawthorne, K. M., Aliu, O., Hicks, P. D., Chen, Z., & Griffin, I. J. (2007). An inulin-type fructan enhances calcium absorption primarily via an effect on colonic absorption in humans. The Journal of Nutrition, 137(10), 2208-2212.

8.       Whisner, C. M., Martin, B. R., Schoterman, M. H., Nakatsu, C. H., McCabe, L. D., McCabe, G. P., ... & Weaver, C. M. (2013). Galacto-oligosaccharides increase calcium absorption and gut bifidobacteria in young girls: a double-blind cross-over trial. British Journal of Nutrition, 110(7), 1292-1303.

9.       Vulevic, J., Juric, A., Tzortzis, G., & Gibson, G. R. (2013). A mixture of trans-galactooligosaccharides reduces markers of metabolic syndrome and modulates the fecal microbiota and immune function of overweight adults. The Journal of Nutrition, 143(3), 324-331.

10.   Parnell, J. A., & Reimer, R. A. (2009). Weight loss during oligofructose supplementation is associated with decreased ghrelin and increased peptide YY in overweight and obese adults. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 89(6), 1751-1759.

11.   Cani, P. D., Lecourt, E., Dewulf, E. M., Sohet, F. M., Pachikian, B. D., Naslain, D., ... & Delzenne, N. M. (2009). Gut microbiota fermentation of prebiotics increases satietogenic and incretin gut peptide production with consequences for appetite sensation and glucose response after a meal. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 90(5), 1236-1243.

12.   Cani, P. D., Joly, E., Horsmans, Y., & Delzenne, N. M. (2006). Oligofructose promotes satiety in healthy human: a pilot study. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 60(5), 567-572.

13.   Blottiere, H. M., De Vos, W. M., Ehrlich, S. D., & Doré, J. (2013). Human intestinal metagenomics: state of the art and future. Current Opinion in Microbiology, 16(3), 232-239.